I Walk Alone [Blu-ray]

Director: Byron Haskin

Overview

Set during Prohibition, this crime melodrama tells the tale of two bootleggers and an upscale speakeasy. Rumrunners Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster have a thriving business until they find themselves racing up to an enormous police roadblock while running a fresh supply of hooch to their club one night. Realizing that all will be lost if they are both captured, the pair quickly make a pact. One will run on foot while the other drives to the roadblock. The one who successfully escapes is to maintain the club and save half the profits for the other. Unlucky Lancaster gets caught and spends 14 years in prison. He spends most of that time angrily dreaming of revenge and soon after his release, he sets out to get it. By this time, Douglas has turned the nightclub into a lucrative venture. Unfortunately for Lancaster, he is unwilling to share in the profits and quickly sets his accountant to doctoring the books to ensure that the vengeful Lancaster gets nothing. It's a big mistake on Douglas's part, and eventually, after much conniving, double-crossing and even a murder, he gets what's coming to him.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/24/2018
UPC:	0738329231224
Original Release:	1947
Rating:	NR
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[B&W]
Language:	English
Time:	1:37:00
Sales rank:	19,363

Special Features

Audio Commentary by Film Historian Troy Howarth; KLSC Trailers

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Burt Lancaster	Frankie Madison
Lizabeth Scott	Kay Lawrence
Kirk Douglas	Noll 'Dink' Turner
Wendell Corey	Dave
Kristine Miller	Mrs. Richardson
Jorge Rigaud	Maurice
Marc Lawrence	Nick Palestro
Mike Mazurki	Dan
Mickey Knox	Skinner
Roger Neury	Felix
John Bishop	Ben the Bartender
Bruce Lester	Charles
Jean Del Val	Henri the Chef
Gino Corrado	George the Assistant Chef
Freddie Steele	Tiger
Jim Davies	Masseur
Dewey Robinson	Heinz
Fred Somers	Butcher
Bruce Lister	Charles
Charles D. Brown	Lt. Hollaran
Wally Merrill	Schreiber,Schreiber
Bobby Barber	Newsboy
Jack Perrin	Policeman
Bert Moorhouse	Toll Gate Policeman
Olin Howlin	Watchman
James Davies	Masseur

Technical Credits

John Bright

Robert Smith

Hal B. Wallis	Producer
John Bright	Screenwriter
Robert Smith	Screenwriter
Walter Oberst	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

I Walk Alone is not top-notch film noir, but there are enough positives to the film to more than offset its negatives. The biggest problem is, of course, the screenplay. While it has some interesting turns (such as one gangster cheating the other by simple bookkeeping fraud), it sometimes strains credulity (would Madison really believe Turner would do right by him?). The plotting is busy, but not as inventive as necessary and, worse, the dialogue -- an immensely important ingredient in a successful noir stew -- disappoints. Fortunately, Walk has two dependably muscular performances from its male stars, with Kirk Douglas' icy sophistication playing delightfully off of Burt Lancaster's earthy integrity. Even better is Lizabeth Scott, adding a believable note of warmth and sensuality, andWendell Corey, whose cowardly brother walks away with several scenes. Byron Haskin's direction is occasionally at odds with the material; he's trying to add heft and dimension to it, and if he only half succeeds, at least he's trying something different. Better is Leo Tovar's cinematography, with stark, high-contrast lighting effects and a variety of dramatic angles used to good effect.